Sign In Join 



Dodge Caliber Engine Problems

147 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 2:01 PM

You are in the Dodge Caliber Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caliber, Engine, Wagon


Messages Page 8 of 15
1
...
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
...
15
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#67 of 147
Re: Dont Buy this car.... JUNK!!!!!!!! [steve9633] by greenfox1
Jan 01, 2008 (10:16 am)
Reply

Replying to: steve9633 (Dec 20, 2007 5:46 pm)

The 1.8 and 2.0 engines are trash.
 
I test drove a 1.8L, 2.0L and a 2.4L and the 2.4T before buying a 2.4T (SRT4). The 1.8 and 2.0 engines sound loose and unrefined; they are American designed and built and seem to be of exceptionally poor quality.
 
HOWEVER, the 2.4L "World Engine" (used by several other car makers) is a very nice engine. I would recommend the 2.4L CVT front drive as a best pick for something that gets good MPG, has lots of interior room and surprising power (173 HP). The Jeep Compass uses the same engine and chassis with minor changes to suspension to make it sit higher off the ground and thus more “Jeep-ish.” The drop in fuel economy and Dodge’s indication that this vehicle is NOT an off road vehicle make the AWD system practical for driving in snow/ice/rain/severe conditions.
 
The SRT-4 (also the 2.4L engine) with front drive gets about 24-25MPG during mixed driving (aprox. after 1000mil of use) and runs 0-60 around the 5.8sec mark (Mopar's low 6's estimate is quite high). But this is probably not something for the wife or reckless teenager, as 50% throttle through 4th gear will let you easily arrive at 120mph if you are not cautious. Torque is abundant and the 155mph top speed is reached in 5th gear with unnerving ease before the fuel control system steps in. I would suspect the unlimited top speed to be something around in the high 160’s or low 170’s primarily limited by aerodynamic drag due to the 5 door body style. The hood scoop, front air dam, and larger wheels also give a more appealing appearance the somewhat bulky looking 5 door design.
#68 of 147
Re: Dont Buy this car.... JUNK!!!!!!!! [greenfox1] by ticleve2
Jan 12, 2008 (1:32 am)
Reply

Replying to: greenfox1 (Jan 01, 2008 10:16 am)

Do you own an SRT4? I've had one on order for several weeks. Seems to be delayed by the sound system I selected. Seems odd. I've done inventory searches on 40 Dodge Dealers and I can't find an SRT4 anywhere. Some don't even list the SRT4 model. What am I getting into?
#69 of 147
Re: Dont Buy this car.... JUNK!!!!!!!! [ticleve2] by jirwin
Feb 06, 2008 (11:13 am)
Reply

Replying to: ticleve2 (Jan 12, 2008 1:32 am)

The 1.8, 2.0, and 2.4 are all World Engines...
 
but we can keep that on the DL if buying an "american" motor is too much for you to handle.
 
Size is basically the only difference.
#70 of 147
Re: engine cooling question [trans12] by steve9633
Feb 06, 2008 (1:25 pm)
Reply

Replying to: trans12 (Feb 02, 2007 8:08 pm)

I have a 2007 caliber and i had the same problemb it would not warm up in cold temperatures i had the dealer replace the thermostat and i have no problembs now
#71 of 147
2008 Dodge Caliber by pyrodruidess
Mar 06, 2008 (11:14 am)
Reply
I was curious if any of the problems with the knocking, thermostat, and stalling were associated with the 2008 model Caliber SE or SXT?
 
Robin
#72 of 147
Re: 2008 Dodge Caliber [pyrodruidess] by ticleve2
Mar 07, 2008 (10:24 am)
Reply

Replying to: pyrodruidess (Mar 06, 2008 11:14 am)

I'd like to find out. I've had a 2008 SRT4 on order since Nov. 5th 2007. I think 4 months is long enough to wait for a "sold-car order". Hopefully these problems will be worked out on the turbo-engine model.
#73 of 147
Re: 2008 Dodge Caliber [pyrodruidess] by caliberchic
Mar 07, 2008 (10:40 am)
Reply

Replying to: pyrodruidess (Mar 06, 2008 11:14 am)

I hope those problems were fixed too. I know the 2007's had problems.
#74 of 147
Re: 2008 Dodge Caliber [ticleve2] by bigtsr
Mar 08, 2008 (6:33 am)
Reply

Replying to: ticleve2 (Mar 07, 2008 10:24 am)

I don't know where you are located or what customization you ordered
on your CSRT4 but there are many on the road already in southern
Ontario and in eastern US,several local dealers have them sitting on
their lots.
Other than the traditional problems that come up with the tuners or modders
4 things stand out in all problem posts I have read on CSRT4 those are:
 
1-Dealers failing to remove shipping spacers on front struts during prep.
2-Fuel injector failure throwing CEL code(usually traced to a single injector).
3-Poor connection of oil lines at turbo(minor leak).
4-Intercooler hose clamp loose or rubbing on coolant hose (tsb issued).
#75 of 147
Re: 2008 Dodge Caliber [caliberchic] by bigtsr
Mar 08, 2008 (6:48 am)
Reply

Replying to: caliberchic (Mar 07, 2008 10:40 am)

I realize caliberchic you did not have a great experience with your Calibers
but you have to admit in general of the 190,000 or so Calibers sold the only ones
you see generally posting are those who are looking for help or answers
to what they interpet as a problem.
There are lemons in every carline and unfortunately they get bought many times
by people who just want good transportation without problems but as a whole
are ignorant of how's,why's and general responsibilities that come with car
ownership.
First model year buyers are particularly prone to developmental blues
and hopefully car makers learn and make things better than the previous
model or take proper care of the previous buyers.
I personally have not had a problem with my 07 Caliber built June 06
and have only had a software update at my request and free oil changes,
there are many Calibers now hitting the 50,000 mile mark so time will
tell if problems outweigh the fun I have driving my "not so cute Caliber".
#76 of 147
Re: 2008 Dodge Caliber [bigtsr] by ticleve2
Mar 08, 2008 (9:27 am)
Reply

Replying to: bigtsr (Mar 08, 2008 6:33 am)

The one option I ordered that apparently held up the order was the 13 speaker, kick ass sound system. You wouldn't have thought that would have stumped them. I've done inventory searches on many Dodge dealers and I do find them on the lot but none with the sound system ordered. I now have a tentative ship date of 03/12 but the order hasn't gone to the KZ build code yet. I think it's better to have a car built on Monday than Friday anyway. I hope I haven't made a mistake by ordering this car but it has to be better than the 2007 Jeep Wrangler I have now. What a piece of crap this thing is.

Messages Page 8 of 15
1
...
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
...
15
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement